Uggie The Dog, Star Of ‘The Artist,’ Dies After Being Put To Sleep

We are so heartbroken! Uggie The Dog, the star of ‘The Artist,’ is no longer with us after suffering from a prostate tumor, put to sleep on August 7. Rest in peace, little Uggie!

Uggie, the canine star of The Artist, has tragically passed away at 13 after a long battle with a prostate illness. We’re just so sad that this talented little pup, who stole our hearts as the star of the 2011 silent film, was suffering so much, and is now gone from our lives.

Uggie was put to sleep on August 7 in Los Angeles after his battle with a prostate tumor became just too much, his owner, Oscar Von Muller, toldTMZ. Trainer Sarah Clifford told the outlet that he was “the perfect little terrier with boundless energy. I will forever hold him dearly in my heart and never forget his infinite love for chicken and hotdogs.” So sweet and sad! It’s clear that this little guy was loved a lot!

Uggie wasn’t your normal dog. His stunning, clever performance in The Artist, which won the Best Picture award at the 2012 Oscars (where he wore a tiny gold bowtie!), made him an overnight star. Everyone wanted to know who this adorable, talented puppy was — and how he could do so many amazing tricks. Uggie is the only animal to ever immortalize their paw prints in concrete, along with his “signature,” on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Legendary film critic Roger Ebert noted that he was the best canine actor he had ever seen. What an honor!

The pup, who also starred alongside Reese Witherspoon in Water For Elephants, actually retired right after charming the world during his Oscars appearance; Oscar explained that his beloved pet was suffering from a neurological condition; his comfort was more important than keeping him in the business. “It is a shame this has happened when he is getting the biggest success of his career, but we feel the best thing to do is to retire him after the Oscars,” he told Daily Mail at the time. What a loving, intelligent caretaker.

Fans of the animal actor, who took home the Palm Dog Award at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival for The Artist — and was Nintendo’s first-ever Spokesdog! — were shocked and saddened by the loss. “You were the reason why I loved the Artist so much. #Uggie#Coolestdogever” one Twitter user commented. “There’s a new star in heaven,” tweeted another. Animal lovers all over the world are devastated today.